Morning Brief

1. Apple unveils AirPods Max 2
2. NVIDIA introduces DLSS 5
3. Apple Watch in mainland China rolls out mobile atrial fibrillation (AFib) irregular rhythm notification feature
4. Zhipu releases GLM-5-Turbo
5. National Satellite Internet System and Service Standardization Technical Committee approved for establishment
6. China Academy of Information and Communications Technology releases Blue Book on Next-Generation Smart Terminals (2025)
7. News Worth a Quick Look

---

Apple unveils AirPods Max 2

On March 16, Apple introduced AirPods Max 2. The new model is powered by the H2 chip, delivering stronger active noise cancellation with a 1.5× improvement over the previous generation, more effectively reducing noises such as airplane engines or train movement. In addition, the H2 chip brings new features to AirPods Max 2, including Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, Voice Isolation, camera remote control, studio-quality audio recording, loud sound reduction, personalized volume, and head-gesture Siri interactions. AirPods Max 2 also features a new high dynamic range amplifier, with wired connections supporting 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio; wireless audio latency has also been reduced. Notably, the first-generation AirPods Max was released on December 15, 2020. AirPods Max 2 comes in Midnight, Starlight, Orange, Purple, and Blue finishes. Pre-orders begin on March 25, with official availability in early next month, priced at RMB 3,999. Source

---

NVIDIA introduces DLSS 5

On March 16, NVIDIA announced DLSS 5, calling it the most significant breakthrough in computer graphics since the introduction of real-time ray tracing in 2018. DLSS 5 introduces a real-time neural rendering model that injects realistic lighting and materials into pixels, enabling developers to “deliver computer graphics previously only possible in Hollywood visual effects.” DLSS 5 uses an offline video AI model, taking each frame’s color and motion vectors as input, and integrates lighting and materials that are anchored to the source 3D content while remaining consistent across frames, enabling real-time gameplay at up to 4K resolution. Source

---

Apple Watch in mainland China rolls out mobile atrial fibrillation (AFib) irregular rhythm notification feature

On March 17, Apple Watch in mainland China officially rolled out the AFib History feature. Users diagnosed with atrial fibrillation can enable this feature to access key insights, such as the estimated frequency of AFib indications detected in their heart rhythm, helping them better understand their health. Users can also receive weekly notifications about their estimated AFib frequency and view detailed historical data in the Health app, including lifestyle factors that may impact AFib, such as sleep, alcohol consumption, and exercise. Source

---

Zhipu releases GLM-5-Turbo

On March 16, Zhipu released GLM-5-Turbo, which it claims is the first foundation model deeply optimized for OpenClaw scenarios, with targeted enhancements made during training to meet OpenClaw’s core requirements. The GLM-5-Turbo model strengthens key capabilities such as tool invocation, command tracking, persistent tasks, and long-chain execution, supporting a maximum output of 128K tokens and a context length of 200K. It also features thinking mode, streaming output, function calling, context caching, and MCP, ensuring greater stability and reliability for multi-step tasks and enabling OpenClaw to transition quickly from conversation to execution. In addition, the model is better suited to handle high data throughput and long logical-chain Lobster tasks, further improving execution efficiency and response stability, making it suitable for integration into real-world workflows. However, the model is currently still in an experimental stage and remains closed-source; related research outcomes and features will be integrated into Zhipu’s next open-source model. Source

---

National Satellite Internet System and Service Standardization Technical Committee approved for establishment

On March 16, the State Administration for Market Regulation officially announced the approval of the National Satellite Internet System and Service Standardization Technical Committee. In recent years, with the accelerated deployment of low-Earth orbit satellite constellations, satellite internet applications have continued to expand across areas such as direct-to-device connectivity, emergency communications, marine fisheries, transportation and logistics, and connectivity in remote regions. China’s satellite internet industry ecosystem has become increasingly active, with growing industrial capabilities. To fully leverage the guiding and foundational role of standardization in building new satellite internet infrastructure and to promote the healthy development of the intelligent economy, the newly established committee will address the rapid pace of technological advancement and the influx of diverse market participants by consolidating efforts across stakeholders, promoting resource sharing, accelerating the development of urgently needed standards such as terminology, in-orbit constellation operation evaluation, and key system products, continuously improving the satellite internet standards system, actively participating in international standard-setting, and driving the high-speed, standardized, and healthy development of the satellite internet industry. Source

---

China Academy of Information and Communications Technology releases Blue Book on Next-Generation Smart Terminals (2025)

On March 16, the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT) officially released the Blue Book on Next-Generation Smart Terminals (2025) — From “AI + Terminals” to AI-Native Devices. The report systematically reviews the evolution of full-stack technology integration in smart terminals, analyzes four core characteristics of AI terminals—cognitive collaboration, scenario anticipation, intent-driven interaction, and service symbiosis—and points out that the intelligent interconnection of everything is driving the industry from standalone intelligence toward higher-level forms of collective intelligence and scenario-based service ecosystems. In light of current industry challenges such as ecosystem fragmentation and privacy concerns in device-cloud collaboration, the Blue Book recommends coordinated efforts across four dimensions: strengthening policy guidance, accelerating standard unification, advancing key technology breakthroughs, and building a full-stack secure and trustworthy ecosystem, in order to ensure the high-quality development of next-generation smart terminals and position them as a primary platform for implementing the “AI+” initiative. Source

---

News Worth a Quick Look

• According to Blue Whale Tech on March 16, the copyright dispute between Bambu Lab’s MakerWorld platform and POP MART IP has been resolved. Bambu Lab and POP MART reached an amicable settlement through negotiations, and all related content has been fully taken down. The MakerWorld model community, which previously contained infringing content, no longer hosts any Labubu-related model files. Source
• Spotify began testing the “Music Taste Profile” feature on March 13. This feature serves as the core of Spotify’s recommendation algorithm system, influencing personalized content such as Discover Weekly, recommendations, and annual summaries. It will first roll out to Premium subscribers in New Zealand, allowing users to view listening data across music, podcasts, and audiobooks. Users can also directly edit their taste profiles and even fine-tune future recommendations using simple language commands—for example, reducing certain genres or minimizing specific moods in recommendations. Source
• vivo and iQOO announced on March 16 adjustments to the suggested retail prices of some of their products. According to an official statement posted in vivo’s community, due to continued significant increases in global semiconductor and memory costs, and after careful evaluation, the company will adjust the suggested retail prices of certain products starting at 10:00 on March 18, 2026. Specific models and pricing will be subject to official product pages. Source
• According to Z Finance, ByteDance has suspended its Doubao AI glasses project. Source
• According to Reuters, Alibaba has established the Alibaba Token Hub business group, directly overseen by CEO Eddie Wu. The group includes Tongyi Lab, the MaaS business line, the Qwen business unit, the Wukong business unit, and the AI Innovation business unit. Source
• On March 16, Apple acquired MotionVFX. Based in Poland and founded in 2009, MotionVFX is a well-known third-party plugin developer for Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and Apple Motion. Source
• According to Instagram’s Help Center, after May 8, 2026, Instagram will no longer support end-to-end encrypted messaging. Source
• Sony has introduced an upgraded PSSR upscaling technology in the latest PS5 Pro update, improving image stability and enhancing detail clarity. Source